The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-07-14

in olo Virginny, auG given to Martha to
hand her master for the post. 1t was our
last glim pse of old Martha.
The next morning the neighborhood was
in blaze IF excitement Andy, the Kirbys'
coachplan, and old Martha had decamped.
How OF when they had escaped none knew,
but it was fair to suppose that they were
alFeady safely sheltered on the Kansas
shore. The asggravation seemed greater
FROM the fact tb at the Kirby servants were
exceptionally, we'll treated and regarded
with family affection. A currant bush that
stood by the wicket between our house and
theirs was found to have some thing white
f1utteging among the leaves. IL was the
letter which my sister had written the night
before, ami which old Martha, in her haste
and excitement had dropped before she
reached her masters house. Then the full
storm Of wrath was turned upon us. Enter
ing my fathers Office, Richard Kirby de-
n0unced our whole family for conspiring to
assist runaway negroes. Enraged at my
sisters refusal Of his hand and feeling that
it was through ny fathers influence, he was
eager to provoke quarrel Drawing his
bowie knife, weapon with which all Mis-
sc1rians were then armed, a fearful tragedy
would have been enacted but for the inter-
ference of the tystanders. Thwarted in
this, he strobe through the crowd that had
gathered muttering vengeance. The fol-
lowing day he was enrolled upon the list
that sent so many martyrs TO the lost cause.
A company of men were already drilling
in an open lot on the outskirts of the town,
without, as yet, any regularly appointed
officers. When it waS known that Richard
Kirby had enlisted, a shout went up 'Our
Captain, our Csptainl" He was received
with demonstrations Of joy, and when he
counseled an immediate departure to join
the forces of Price, they gave the widest
cheers.
1t was decided that upon the arrival Of
the next boat this newly organized COM
pany of raw recruits would embark, with
Richard Kirby as first officer. He knew
the sullen indignation with which this
move would be regarded by every Union
man, and he gloried in it, but had he
known with what throe OF anguish this
news was received by my sister Jane, his
impetuous nature would have forgiven all
the past, and he again would have been the
suppliant lover.
My sister went about the house with eyes
strained towards the distant hills for the
first white wreath OF smoke which should
herald the approach Of the coming steamer.
There was always an uncertainty of some
hours regarding the arrival of these West
ern vehicles OF travel, and 1 knew by the
white, tense closing of her lips, that the sus-
pense was more dreadful than the first
shock had been. Finally, upon the clear
MONDAY air the shrill whistle sounded.
The little village was alive in an instant.
The levee was crowded with men, women
and children, while the negroes stole sur
reptitious glances around the corners of
fences and corn-cribs. The boat rounded to
the shore as the company went marching
down the single street, with its red and
white silken banner, the work of fair rebel
hands, floating in the sunshine Men of
pronounced Union sentiments were con-
spicuous by their absence, and strange
quiet was over all. We stood upon a bluff
which commanded a view of the whole
scene, although knowing that our figures
would be thrown in silhouette against the
clear sky, as background. My sisters
pride came to her aid aud she made no moan.
think she had felt that Richard would re-
lent at the last, and send her scme token of
reconciliation, but he did not. In anticipa-
tion of this she had formed rosette of red
and white ribbons, which, with long floating